Section 660.10  Statewide Season and Permit Quotas

 

a)         Season:  One-half hour before sunrise on Friday of the third 3-day (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) weekend following Thanksgiving to one-half hour after sunset on Sunday of this 3-day weekend in December.  The hunter with a Muzzleloading Rifle Deer Permit may also hunt during the second firearm deer season (the first 4-day weekend – Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday – following Thanksgiving), providing the hunter must use only a legal muzzleloading rifle and must abide by 17 Ill. Adm. Code 650.60 when hunting on Department-owned or -managed sites.  Hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

 

b)         Permit quotas shall be set by the Department of Natural Resources (Department) on a county or special hunt area basis.  Cook, DuPage and Lake counties, and that portion of Kane County east of State Route 47, are closed to muzzleloading rifle deer hunting.

 

c)         Hunting prior to ½ hour before sunrise or after ½ hour after sunset is a Class A misdemeanor with a minimum $500 and maximum $5,000 fine, in addition to other statutory penalties (see 520 ILCS 5/2.33(y)).  Hunting during the closed season is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.4).

 

(Source:  Amended at 32 Ill. Reg. 9325, effective June 13, 2008)

 

Section 660.20  Statewide Deer Permit Requirements

 

a)         All deer hunters must have a current, valid Muzzleloading Rifle Deer Permit.  Fees for deer permits are as follows:

 

1)         Illinois Resident Permits (issued by Deer Permit Office):

Either-sex − $25

Bonus antlerless-only − $17.50

Antlerless only for Special Hunt Areas with antlerless-only hunts − $25

 

2)         Nonresident Permits (issued by Deer Permit Office):

Either-sex − $300

Bonus antlerless-only − $25

Antlerless-only for Special Hunt Areas with antlerless-only hunts − $300

 

3)         In addition to a Special Hunt Area Permit issued under subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2), a hunter may obtain additional Special Hunt Area Permits, issued by staff at the Special Hunt Area, when unfilled permits are available.  Fees:

Either-sex (full, 1^st or 2^nd season) − $25 regardless of residency

Antlerless-only (full, 1^st or 2^nd season) − $17.50 regardless of residency

One-day standby permits − $5 regardless of residency

 

4)         Over-the-Counter Permits sold by license vendors pursuant to subsection (h) (all prices in this subsection (a)(4) include vendor's issuing fee):

 

Resident either-sex − $25.50

Resident antlerless-only − $18.00

Nonresident either-sex − $300.50

Nonresident bonus antlerless-only (hunter has obtained, for the current year, a muzzleloader either sex permit, or has a valid landowner firearm either-sex permit) − $25.50

Nonresident antlerless-only (hunter has not obtained the required either-sex permit) – $100.50

 

b)         A permit is issued for one county or special hunt area and is valid only in the county, where permission to hunt has been obtained from the property owner, or special hunt area stated on the permit.  During the First Lottery and Second Lottery, applicants who receive an either-sex permit in a county or special hunt area are eligible for a bonus antlerless-only permit for that county or special hunt area (with the exception of special hunt areas offering antlerless-only hunts).  During the Third Lottery, antlerless-only permits remaining in the quota will be made available to resident applicants regardless of whether those applicants already possess an either-sex permit, but nonresident applicants must have a muzzleloader either-sex permit or landowner firearm either-sex permit in order to obtain an antlerless-only permit.  For permit applications and other information write to:

 

Department of Natural Resources

(Muzzleloading Rifle)

Deer Permit Office

P.O. Box 19227

Springfield IL 62794-9227

 

c)         Applications from Illinois residents for participation in the First Lottery Drawing shall be accepted through April 30 of the current year. Nonresidents may not apply to participate in the First Lottery Drawing.  Applications received after April 30 shall not be included in this lottery.  Permits shall be allocated in a computerized random drawing.  Permits shall be issued as either-sex, antlerless-only or antlered only.  A maximum of one either-sex and one antlerless-only permit shall be issued per person.  Lifetime licenses issued after August 15, 2006 shall not qualify a non-resident of Illinois for a resident deer permit.

 

d)         Applicants must complete all portions of the current year permit application form. Incomplete or incorrect applications will be returned along with the applicant's permit fee for correction or completion if received in the Permit Office prior to the last weekday in April of the current year.

 

e)         Applicants must check the antlerless-only box and provide the appropriate fee to apply for an additional antlerless-only permit.  Antlerless-only permits will be issued until the antlerless-only quota is filled for a given county or special hunt area.

 

f)         Permits for counties and special hunt areas with unfilled quotas after the First Lottery Drawing shall be allocated in a Second Lottery Drawing.  This drawing is open only to nonresident applicants and to Illinois residents who were not previously issued muzzleloader permits for the current hunting season.  Illinois residents will be given preference for permits allocated in the Second Lottery Drawing.  Applications for the Second Lottery Drawing will be accepted through June 30 of the current year.  Applicants may also apply for remaining antlerless-only permits by checking the antlerless-only box and providing the appropriate fee.  A list of unfilled counties shall be announced upon becoming available after the First Lottery Drawing.  Applicants must apply on a current year Muzzleloading Rifle Deer Permit application form.  A maximum of one either-sex and one antlerless-only permit shall be issued per person.

 

g)         A Third Lottery Drawing will be held during which any Illinois resident (regardless of any other deer permit he or she may have) may apply for one or more either-sex and/or antlerless-only permits for counties or special hunt areas with unfilled quotas.  Nonresidents may also apply, but must have received a muzzleloader either-sex permit or landowner firearm either-sex permit in order to obtain an antlerless-only permit in this drawing.  Applications for the Third Lottery Drawing will be accepted through the third Friday in August of the current year.  A list of unfilled counties and special hunt areas will be announced upon becoming available after the Second Lottery Drawing.  Applicants must apply on a current year Muzzleloading Rifle Deer Permit application form.  All applications for the Third Lottery will be processed individually (i.e., no group applications will be processed).

 

h)         Permits remaining after the Third Lottery Drawing will be available over-the-counter (OTC) from agents designated by the Department (pursuant to 17 Ill. Adm. Code 2520) beginning the third Tuesday in October on a first-come, first-served basis.  Permits will be sold until quotas are exhausted, or until the close of the muzzleloader deer season, whichever occurs first.  Persons may purchase one or more permits during this period, subject to availability.  Persons purchasing OTC deer permits must supply all necessary applicant information to the agents in order to properly complete the permit.

 

i)          Hunter preference in obtaining a muzzleloading rifle permit during the First Lottery Drawing shall be given to individuals that applied for an either-sex muzzleloading permit in the previous year's First Lottery Drawing who were rejected because the quota was depleted in their county choices.  The following criteria must be met to obtain a preference in the muzzleloading rifle First Lottery Drawing:

 

1)         The applicant must apply using the official agency application.

 

2)         The applicant must be a resident of the State, be eligible to receive a Muzzleloading Rifle Deer Permit, and not had deer hunting privileges revoked pursuant to Section 660.50.

 

3)         The applicant must apply for the same county choices that he/she listed on the previous year's application. Preference will not be granted for special hunt areas.

 

4)         Where applicants apply as a group, preference for the entire group shall apply as it does above for the individual.  All county choices for the group must be identical.

 

j)          Applications shall be accepted at the counter window of the permit office; however, permits for the First Lottery, Second Lottery and Third Lottery Drawing shall be mailed.  In-person, mail-in and electronic applications will receive equal treatment in the drawings.

 

k)         Permits are not transferable.  For the purpose of this Section, "transfer" means the modification or changing, by the Department or any other person, individual or group of the name or the location on an issued permit to another person or location.

 

l)          A $3 service fee shall be charged for replacement permits issued by the Department, except when permits are lost in the mail, then there shall be no charge.  The procedures for obtaining a replacement license are detailed in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 2520.50.  Monies derived from this source shall be deposited in the Wildlife and Fish Fund.

 

m)        The period for accepting applications for the First and Second Lottery periods shall be extended if applications are not available to the public by April 1.  A news release will announce the extension of the application period.

 

n)         Refunds and Cancellations

 

1)         A refund shall be issued by the Department for a permit that has been granted, or for an application that has been submitted, under the following circumstances:

 

A)        The State managed or owned site for which the permit was issued was closed due to a national or State issued emergency or disaster declaration or any other emergency circumstance that resulted in the Department closing access to the hunting site, park or area.  Issued permits shall be cancelled by the Department.  This subsection (n) shall include, but is not limited to, closure of State parks, fish and wildlife areas, and recreation areas by the Department as a response to a Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation or executive order;

 

B)        The applicant for a permit was unsuccessful in obtaining a permit in the lottery for which the applicant applied; or

 

C)        Upon the request of the permit holder, a permit was issued due to an error of the Department, the OTC point-of-sale vendor or the applicant.  The permit that was issued in error and the request for a refund must be delivered to the Department before the first day of the season listed on the permit.  Permits shall be considered delivered to the Department if the permit is received or postmarked before the first day of the season listed on the permit; or

 

D)        Upon the return of an issued permit to the Department before the first day of the season listed on the issued permit.  Permits shall be considered delivered to the Department if the permit is received or postmarked before the first day of the season listed on the permit.  No refund shall be issued under this subsection (n)(1)(D) if the permit is not returned or postmarked after the first day of the season listed on the permit.

 

2)         A permit shall be cancelled if a refund is approved pursuant to subsection (n)(1)(A), (C) or (D).  Once a permit has been cancelled, the cancelled permit shall not count towards the total number of permits that an applicant may obtain for the hunting season that the cancelled permit was issued.

 

3)         Upon the request of a permit holder, a refund may be issued by the Department for a permit that has been granted under the following circumstances:

 

A)        A medical condition or death of the permit holder that prevented the permit holder from hunting.  A death certificate or medical documentation showing that the permit holder was unable to or advised not to hunt may be required by the Department before any refund is issued.  Requests must be made within 90 days after the start of the season that the permit was issued for and must accompany the return of the permit to the Department at its headquarters in Springfield, Illinois.  No refunds shall be issued under this subsection if the request or permit is delivered to the Department at its headquarters in Springfield, Illinois 90 days after the first day of the season listed on the permit; or

 

B)        The permit holder was unable to travel or use the permit that was issued due to a national or State issued emergency or disaster declaration that resulted in a danger to the health or safety of the permit holder had they attempted to use the issued permit.  Requests must be made within 60 days after the start of the season for which the permit was issued and must accompany the return of the permit to the Department at its headquarters in Springfield, Illinois.  No refund shall be issued under this subsection (n)(3)(B) if the request or permit is delivered or postmarked 60 days after the first day of the season listed on the permit. 

 

C)        A permit that was issued due to an error of the Department, the OTC point-of-sale vendor, or the applicant, if the permit is returned to the Department before the last day of the season for which the permit was issued.

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 18684, effective November 2, 2022)

 

Section 660.21  Deer Permit Requirements – Landowner/Tenant Permits  

 

a)         Unfilled POH firearm deer permits that authorize various types of property owners/tenants to hunt only on their owned or leased land, issued pursuant to 17 Ill. Adm. Code 528, shall be valid only on lands owned/leased by the permit holder during the muzzleloading rifle season.  However, the only valid weapon during the muzzleloading rifle season is a muzzleloading rifle which meets the requirements of Section 660.30.

 

b)         Violation of this Section is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.24).

 

(Source:  Amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 8664, effective June 28, 2017)

 

Section 660.22  Deer Permit Requirements – Special Hunts

 

a)         Special hunt sites are defined as those sites that are owned or controlled by agencies/entities other than the Department, or sites at which the Department only controls a portion of the property designated for deer hunting, and that issue deer hunting permits through the statewide lottery process.  The Permit Office issues deer hunting permits through a computerized drawing for the following sites, in addition to the Department-owned or -managed sites listed in Section 660.60(h):

 

Delair Division, Great River National Wildlife Refuge (second 2-day (Saturday and Sunday) weekend in January, unless January 1 falls on a Saturday, in which case hunt will be third 2-day weekend in January)

 

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie (closed during the second firearm deer season; additional site pass is required; check-in, check-out and reporting of harvest is required)

 

b)         Providing false information on an application is a Class A misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.38).  Hunting deer outside the special season dates or prior to ½ hour before sunrise or after sunset on the listed property is a Class A misdemeanor with a $500 minimum and $5,000 maximum fine, in addition to other statutory penalties (see 520 ILCS 5/2.33(y)).

 

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 3987, effective March 1, 2024)

 

Section 660.25  Deer Permit Requirements – Group Hunt

 

a)         Up to six individuals may apply to hunt as a group during the First and Second Lottery Drawings.

 

b)         Each individual must sign his or her own application.

 

c)         In order to receive preference for the group, all members must have preference for the same county choice.  If any member does not have preference for the group's first county choice, the entire group shall not receive preference.

 

d)         Applicants applying as a group shall be rejected if they do not list the same county choice and complete the group leader information listing the identical group leader.

 

e)         Since Illinois residents are given preference for permits allocated in the Second Lottery Drawing, groups containing both resident and non-resident applicants will be treated as non-residents.

 

f)         Providing false information on an application is a Class A misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.38).

 

(Source:  Amended at 30 Ill. Reg. 12181, effective June 28, 2006)

 

Section 660.30  Statewide Muzzleloading Rifle Requirements

 

a)         The only legal hunting device is a single or double barreled muzzleloading rifle of at least .45 caliber shooting a single projectile through a barrel of at least 16 inches in length.

 

b)         The standards and specifications for muzzleloading rifles and ammunition are as follows:

 

1)         A muzzleloading rifle is defined as a rifle into which the projectile is incapable of being inserted from the breech end.

 

2)         The minimum size of the muzzleloading rifle projectile shall be .44 caliber.  A wad or sleeve is not considered a projectile or a part of the projectile.  Non-expanding, military-style full metal jacket bullets cannot be used to harvest white-tailed deer; only soft point or expanding bullets (including copper/copper alloy rounds designed for hunting) are legal ammunition.

 

3)         Only black powder or a "black powder substitute" such as Pyrodex may be used.  Modern smokeless powders (nitrocellulose-based) are an approved blackpowder substitute only in muzzleloading rifles that are specifically designed for their use.

 

4)         Only percussion (cap or primer), wheellock, matchlock, flintlock or electronic ignition may be used.

 

5)         The following shall constitute an unloaded muzzleloading rifle:

 

A)        removal of percussion cap/primer;

 

B)        removal of prime powder from frizzen pan with frizzen open and hammer all the way down;

 

C)        removal of prime powder from flashpan and wheel unwound;

 

D)        removal of prime powder and match with match not lit; or

 

E)        removal of the battery from the electronic ignition .

 

c)         It shall be unlawful to use or possess any other firearm or ammunition in the field while hunting white-tailed deer during the muzzleloading rifle deer season.  However, the lawful possession of firearms to take furbearing mammals and game mammals other than deer by persons other than muzzleloading deer hunters shall not be prohibited during the muzzleloading rifle deer season as set in Section 660.10.

 

d)         Violation of this Section is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.24).

 

(Source:  Amended at 45 Ill. Reg. 12680, effective September 24, 2021)

 

Section 660.40  Statewide Deer Hunting Rules

 

a)         The bag limit is one deer per legally authorized either-sex, antlered-only or antlerless-only permit.  All either-sex permits and antlered-only permits are subject to the following restriction:  no hunter, regardless of the quantity or type of permits in his/her possession, may harvest more than 2 antlered deer during a year, including the youth, archery, muzzleloader, and firearm seasons.  For purposes of this Section, deer seasons are considered to be in the same year if their opening dates fall within the same 12-month period that begins on July 1.  A hunter in possession of an either-sex permit after having harvested 2 antlered deer during a year, as defined above, may only use the permit to harvest an antlerless deer.  Subject to this restriction, an either-sex permit holder is allowed to take a deer with or without antlers and an antlered-only permit holder is allowed to take only a deer having at least one antler of a length of 3 or more inches.  An antlerless only permit holder is allowed to take only a deer without antlers or a deer having antlers less than 3 inches long.

 

b)         Recipients of the Muzzleloading Rifle Deer Hunting Permit shall record their signature on the permit prior to hunting and must carry it on their person while hunting.

 

c)         The temporary harvest tag shall be attached and properly sealed immediately upon kill and before the deer is moved, transported or field dressed. No person shall leave any deer that has been killed without properly attaching the temporary harvest tag to the deer in the manner prescribed on the permit. 

 

d)         Hunters shall not have in their possession, any deer permit issued to another person, while in the field during muzzleloading rifle deer season (permits are non-transferable).

 

e)         Permits will not be re-issued in cases involving deer taken which are found to be diseased or spoiled due to previous injury.  Legal disposal of unfit deer taken shall be the responsibility of the hunter.  For those hunters participating in the Department's Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Program, a free permit for the same county or special hunt area will be made available the subsequent year if their tested deer is determined to have chronic wasting disease.

 

f)         Unlawful take or possession of one deer is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.4); unlawful take or possession of 2 or more deer in a 90-day period is a Class 4 felony (see 520 ILCS 5/2.36a); unlawful take or possession of 2 or more deer as a single act or single course of conduct is a Class 3 felony (see 520 ILCS 5/2.36); and any other violation of this Section is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.24).

 

(Source:  Amended at 33 Ill. Reg. 11555, effective July 27, 2009)

 

Section 660.45  Reporting Harvest

 

a)         Successful hunters must register their harvest by 10:00 p.m. on the same calendar day the deer was taken by calling the toll-free telephone check-in system at 1-866-ILCHECK or by accessing the on-line check-in system at www.dnr.illinois.gov.  If a hunter is not able to locate a harvested deer in sufficient time to enable reporting the harvest by 10:00 p.m., the hunter must immediately report the harvest upon retrieving it.  The hunter will be provided with a confirmation number to verify that he or she checked in the harvest.  This number must be written by the hunter onto the temporary harvest tag (leg tag).  If the condition of the tag precludes writing on the tag in the appropriate space (i.e., bloody, etc.), the confirmation number shall be written elsewhere on the tag, or onto a piece of paper and attached to the deer along with the temporary harvest tag. The deer must remain whole (or field dressed) until it has been checked in.  In instances where deer are checked in while the hunter is still afield, the deer may not be dismembered while afield beyond quartering the animal.  If quartered, all parts of the carcass (except the entrails removed during field dressing) must be transported together and evidence of sex must remain naturally attached to one quarter.  Evidence of sex is:

 

1)         For a buck:  head with antlers attached to carcass, or attached testicle, scrotum, or penis.

 

2)         For a doe:  head attached to carcass, or attached udder (mammary) or vulva.

 

b)         The temporary harvest tag (leg tag) and confirmation number must remain attached to the deer until it is at the legal residence of the person who legally took or possessed the deer, the deer has been checked in, and final processing is completed.  If the head/antlers are delivered to a taxidermist for processing, the confirmation number must be recorded on the "head tag" portion of the permit and both must remain with the deer while at the taxidermist.  If the carcass is taken to a meat processor, the temporary harvest tag with confirmation number must remain with the deer while it is processed, and until it is at the legal residence of the person who legally took or possessed the deer.  Persons delivering deer/parts of deer to a tanner for processing must supply the tanner with either their deer permit number, their confirmation number, or a written certification by the person from whom the deer was received that the specimen was legally taken or obtained.

 

c)         In counties where Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance is occurring during the firearm deer season (17 Ill. Adm. Code 650.45(a)), successful hunters using their muzzleloading rifle deer permits during the second weekend of the firearm season may, at their option, register their harvest at a designated firearm deer check station by 8:00 p.m. on the day the deer was killed.  In this situation, the "head tag" portion of the permit will be retained at the check station, and a permanent harvest tag will be attached to the deer upon registration.  Tagging requirements for deer delivered to taxidermists, meat processors, and tanners will be as described in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 650.45(a).  Muzzleloader hunters required to report under this subsection, but who are unable to locate a harvested deer in sufficient time to report the harvest by 8:00 p.m., must report the harvest as described in subsection (a).

 

d)         Site specific reporting requirements must be followed in addition to this Section.

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 18684, effective November 2, 2022)

 

Section 660.50  Rejection of Application/Revocation of Permits

 

a)         In the event that an applicant is in violation of one of the following subsections, the application shall be held in suspension, and the application fees shall be deposited, pending a determination by the permit office of whether the violation was knowing.  If the permit office determines the violation was knowing, the application shall be rejected and the fee shall be retained by Natural Resources.  The applicant may request a hearing on this decision pursuant to 17 Ill. Adm. Code 2530.  Should it be determined that the violation was without the knowledge of the applicant, the permit office will process only the number of applications allowed by administrative rule with additional applications rejected and fees returned.

 

1)         Using hunting rights lease, or mineral rights lease or other lease for land which does not evidence a genuine farm tenancy to obtain a landowner or tenant firearm deer permit.  Violation is a Class A misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.38).

 

2)         Submitting more applications in the same name or by the same person for Muzzleloading Rifle Deer Permits than the number of legally authorized permits. Violation is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.24).

 

3)         Providing false and/or deceptive information on the deer permit application form.  Violation is a Class A misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.24).

 

4)         Submitting an application when the applicant has a license or permit currently revoked pursuant to Section 3.36 of the Wildlife Code.  Violation is a Class A misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.36).

 

b)           Any violation of the Wildlife Code or administrative rules of the Department, in addition to other penalties, may result in revocation of hunting licenses and permits as per 17 Ill. Adm. Code 2530.

 

(Source:  Amended at 28 Ill. Reg. 8056, effective May 26, 2004)

 

Section 660.60  Regulations at Various Department-Owned, -Leased or -Managed Sites

 

a)         All the regulations in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 510 – General Hunting and Trapping apply in this Section, unless this Section is more restrictive.

 

b)         Only one tree stand or ground blind is allowed per deer permit holder.  Tree stands and ground blinds must comply with restrictions listed in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 510(c)(3) and (c)(12), and must be portable.  Tree stands and ground blinds must be removed at the end of each day with the exception that they may be left unattended from September 15-January 31 at those sites listed in this Section that are followed by a (1).  Any tree stand or ground blind left unattended overnight must be legibly marked with the owner's name, address, and telephone number, or site assigned identification number.

 

c)         To drive deer or participate in a deer drive on all Department-owned or -managed properties is prohibited.  A deer drive is defined as a deliberate action by one or more persons (whether armed or unarmed) whose intent is to cause deer to move within firearm range of one or more participating hunters.

 

d)         Check-in, check-out and reporting of harvest is required at those sites listed in this Section that are followed by a (2). Sites that require use of windshield cards by hunters as specified in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 510.10 are followed by a (7).

 

e)         Disabled preferred hunting opportunities are provided at those sites listed in this Section that are followed by a (3).

 

f)         Only antlerless deer or antlered deer having at least four points on one side may be harvested at those sites listed in this Section that are followed by a (4).

 

g)         Only antlerless deer or antlered deer having at least five points on one side may be harvested at those sites listed in this Section that are followed by a (5).

 

h)         Statewide regulations shall apply at the following sites:

 

Alvah Borah State Habitat Area (1) (7)

 

Big Grand Pierre Glade State Natural Area (1) (7)

 

Burning Star State Fish and Wildlife Area (7)

 

Cache River State Natural Area (1) (2)

 

Campbell Pond State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (7)

 

Cape Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (2)

 

Carlyle Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area except subimpoundment areas (7)

 

Carlyle Lake Lands and Waters – Corps of Engineers managed lands (closed to firearm deer hunting in the Jim Hawn and East Spillway Areas)

 

Cave-In-Rock State Park – Kaegi Tract (1) (7)

 

Chauncey Marsh State Natural Area (1) (7)

 

Copperhead Hollow State Wildlife Area (1) (7)

 

Crawford County State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (7)

 

Cretaceous Hills State Natural Area (1) (7)

 

Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge

 

Cypress Pond State Natural Area (1) (2)

 

Deer Pond State Natural Area (1) (2)

 

Devil's Island State Wildlife Management Area

 

Dixon Springs State Park (1) (2)

 

Dog Island State Wildlife Management Area (1) (7)

 

Dug Hill State Fish and Wildlife Area (2)

 

Ferne Clyffe State Park – Cedar/Draper Bluff Hunting Area (1) (2)

 

Ferne Clyffe State Park – Ferne Clyffe Hunting Area (1) (2)

 

Fort de Chartres State Historic Site (no in-line muzzleloading rifles or muzzleloaders with scopes allowed) (1) (2)

 

George S. Park Memorial Woods State Natural Area (2)

 

Giant City State Park (1) (2)

 

Hamilton County State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (7)

 

Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area – Alexander County (all portions of the Public Hunting Area except the Controlled Hunting Area) (1) (2)

 

Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (2, except south of Highway 154 and north of Highway 13) (Doza Creek Waterfowl Management Area is closed during duck season)

 

Kinkaid Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (2)

 

Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (7)

 

Meeker State Habitat Area (1) (7)

 

Mermet Lake State Conservation Area (1) (7)

 

Miller-Anderson Woods State Natural Area (Bureau County permit holders may hunt the Bureau County portion of the area and Putnam County permit holders may hunt the Putnam County portion of the area) (2)

 

Mississippi River Pool 16 (1)

 

Mississippi River Pool 17 (1)

 

Mississippi River Pool 18 (1)

 

Mississippi River Pools 21, 22, 24 (1)

 

Mississippi State Fish and Waterfowl Management Area – Pools 25 and 26 (Batchtown, Crull Hollow and Godar Waterfowl Rest Areas are closed to hunting beginning 14 days before the regular duck season; areas reopen to hunting the day after duck season closes; it is unlawful to trespass upon the designated duck hunting areas between sunset of the Sunday immediately preceding opening day of regular duck season through the day before regular duck season as posted at the site; no deer hunting is allowed within 200 yards of an occupied duck blind; during duck season only, deer hunters may not access the designated duck hunting areas by launching a boat at certain specifically posted boat ramps; boat ramps reopen to deer hunters the day after duck season closes; hunting is allowed at Red's Landing and Riprap Landing walk-in areas from 12:00 p.m. to ½ hour after sunset during duck season, statewide hours during remainder of the season) (1)

 

Oakford State Conservation Area 

 

Pere Marquette State Park (hunting in designated area only) (1) (7)

 

Pyramid State Park − Captain, Denmark, East Conant, Galum and Park Units (4) (7)

 

Ray Norbut State Fish and Wildlife Area (closed during second firearm deer season) (7)

 

Ray Norbut State Fish and Wildlife Area – Dutch Creek Unit (closed during second firearm deer season) (7)

 

Rend Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area Corps of Engineers' managed areas of Rend Lake

 

Saline County State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (7)

 

Sand Ridge State Forest (closed during second firearm deer season) (7)

 

Sielbeck Forest State Natural Area (1) (7)

 

Skinner Farm State Habitat Area (1) (7)

 

Ten Mile Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area (areas designated as Waterfowl Rest Areas are closed to all access during the Canada Goose Season only) (1) (7)

 

Trail of Tears State Forest (1) (2)

 

Turkey Bluffs State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (2)

 

Union County State Fish and Wildlife Area (Firing Line Unit only) (1) (2)

 

Weinberg-King State Park (7)

 

Weinberg-King State Park − Scripps Unit (7)

 

Weinberg-King State Park – Spunky Bottoms Unit (7)

 

Wildcat Hollow State Forest (1) (7)

 

Wise Ridge State Natural Area (1)

 

i)          Statewide regulations shall apply at the following sites by special permit allocated through the regular statewide drawing.  Season dates that differ from the statewide dates are in parentheses.  Sites that offer standby hunting are followed by a (6).  At sites offering standby hunting, permit holders must register at the check station by 5:00 a.m. each day of the hunt.  Unvalidated permits are void after 5:00 a.m.  Vacancies each day may be filled by a drawing held at 5:00 a.m.  Vacancies may be filled by any person holding a valid hunting license, Habitat Stamp, and Firearm Owner Identification Card, if required.  Standby hunters will be issued a one-day site-specific deer permit at the check station, and charged a permit fee of $5.  All hunters must check out and report harvest.  In the event that Department budget reductions or site staffing reductions make the operation of check stations or issuance of standby permits impractical, changes to check station procedures and standby permit issuance will be publicly announced and posted at the site.  If standby drawing or check station procedures are modified, then modifications will be posted at the site and 17 Ill. Adm. Code 510.10(d)(3) shall apply.

 

Apple River Canyon State Park – Thompson and Salem Units (closed during the second firearm deer season) (7)

 

Argyle Lake State Park (1) (6) (7)

 

Butterfield Trail State Recreation Area (closed during the second firearm deer season) (7)

 

Carlyle State Fish and Wildlife Area – East Fork Unit in Clinton County

 

Castle Rock State Park (closed during second firearm season) (6) (7)

 

Cedar Glen State Natural Area (closed during the second firearm deer season) (1) (7)

 

Clinton Lake State Recreation Area (North Fork Management Unit, north of the county road at the North Fork boat ramp) (7)

 

Embarras River Bottoms State Habitat Area (closed during the second firearm deer season) (1) (7)

 

Fort Massac State Park (closed during second firearm deer season) (7)

 

French Bluff State Natural Area (closed during the second firearm deer season) (1) (7)

 

Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area/Heidecke Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (closed during the second firearm deer season) (2) (6)

 

Hanover Bluff State Natural Area (closed during the second firearm deer season) (7)

 

Harry "Babe" Woodyard State Natural Area (closed during second firearm deer season) (1) (7)

 

Hidden Springs State Forest (closed during second firearm deer season) (1) (7)

 

Horseshoe Lake State Park – Madison County (closed during second firearm deer season; antlerless only) (1)

 

Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area – Open Unit (closed during second firearm deer season) (1) (7)

 

Jubilee College State Park (closed during the second firearm deer season) (1) (2) (6)

 

Kickapoo State Recreation Area (closed during the second firearm deer season) (1) (7)

 

Lake Shelbyville Project Lands in Moultrie County (closed during the second firearm deer season; antlerless only; for Corps of Engineers managed lands not managed by IDNR, contact Corps of Engineers, Lake Shelbyville office for specific deer hunting policy) (1)

 

Lake Shelbyville Project Lands in Shelby County (closed during the second firearm deer season; antlerless only; for Corps of Engineers managed lands not managed by IDNR, contact Corps of Engineers, Lake Shelbyville office for specific deer hunting policy) (1)

 

Lake Shelbyville State Fish and Wildlife Area (closed during the second firearm deer season; antlerless-only; must have valid permit for Lake Shelbyville Project Lands – Moultrie County) (7)

 

Mackinaw State Fish and Wildlife Area (closed during second firearm deer season) (1) (2)

 

Marseilles State Fish and Wildlife Area (closed during second firearm deer season) (all tree stands must be removed from this area no later than sunset of the last day of archery deer season; unauthorized personnel may not be on the site outside of the posted check station operating hours; hunters may enter the site only from designated parking lots) (1) (2) (6)

 

Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area (closed during second firearm deer season) (1) (7)

 

Prairie Ridge State Natural Area (closed during second firearm deer season) (7)

 

Rall Woods State Natural Area (closed during the second firearm deer season) (7)

 

Sahara Woods State Recreation Area (1) (7)

 

Sangchris Lake State Park (closed during the second firearm deer season) (1) (2)

 

Sangamon County State Conservation Area (closed during second firearm deer season) (1)

 

Sanganois State Fish and Wildlife Area (Ash Swale Waterfowl Rest Area will be closed to deer hunting during the waterfowl hunting seasons) (1) (7)

 

Siloam Springs State Park (closed during second firearm deer season) (7)

 

Siloam Springs State Park – Buckhorn Unit (resident-only; closed during second firearm season) (4) (7)

 

Spoon River State Forest (closed during second firearm deer season) (1) (7)

 

Starved Rock State Park (closed during the second firearm deer season; permit includes Starved Rock State Park, Matthiessen State Park, Margery C. Carlson State Natural Area, Mitchell's Grove State Natural Area and Sandy Ford State Natural Area; hunt is open in Zone A; all initial permits will be issued as antlerless only; hunters must take an antlerless deer on the site during the current year firearm or muzzleloader season before they will be issued an either-sex standby permit; hunters must check antlerless deer with site staff for verification to participate in the bonus buck program; standby hunters may purchase up to 2 one-day site-specific antlerless-only permits each day) (2) (6)

 

Tapley Woods State Natural Area (closed during the second firearm deer season) (7)

 

Wards Grove State Nature Preserve (closed during the second firearm deer season; antlerless deer only) (7)

 

Winston Tunnel State Natural Area (closed during the second firearm deer season) (7)

 

Witkowsky State Wildlife Area (closed during the second firearm deer season) (7)

 

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 3987, effective March 1, 2024)